Civilised Senegal

Senegal has been described as being one of the best-run and most democratic countries of Africa.

Earlier in October, Senegal welcomed 163 Haitian university students to Dakar after Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade offered them free education and housing when an earthquake devastated their island nation in January.

Also committing $1 million in emergency relief to Haitians, President Abdoulaye Wade said Haitians were sons and daughters of Africa since Haiti was founded by slaves, including some thought to be from Senegal:

“We all recall the inhuman Atlantic Slave Trade when over a period of many years millions young Africans were captured and forcefully shipped to the ‘New World’ as slaves. Most of these slaves were young people and included common family names such as Jobe, Sarr, Ba, Ndiaye, Niane etc. Many of them boarded the slave ships from Gorée island on a one way ticket never to return home.”

Comprehensive arrangements were made for the 160 young people, 55% male and 45% female, to travel by air to Senegal.

They entered Senegal through the gates of Gorée island through which their ancestors were shipped to slavery.

Families have voluntarily come forward to serve as their parents and a Senegalese citizen who lives in Cincinnati – Madame Khadiatou Njie – has responded to the appeal of the President by donating clothing and shoes and other items for the young Haitians.

There were adverse comments from several quarters about President Wade’s first intention of offering land to Haitians, which did not meet with political approval in Senegal, and two other demonstrably false allegations.

However, we would rather listen to Anne Look, Voice of America Online who says: “President Wade has demonstrated that the spirit of Pan Africanism and African Renaissance is alive and well, at least in Senegal.”